Xerox 4450, 4650 User Manual
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650
Laser Printing Systems
Forms Creation Guide
XEROX
April 1995
720P93990
Xerox Corporation
701 S. Aviation Boulevard
El Segundo, CA 90245
© 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 by Xerox Corporation. All rights
reserved.
Copyright protection claimed includes all forms and matters of
copyrightable material and information now allowed by statutory
or judicial law or hereinafter granted, including without limitation,
material generated from the software programs which are
displayed on the screen, such as icons, screen displays, looks,
etc.
Printed in the United States of America
Publication number: 720P93990
Xerox® and all Xerox products mentioned in this publication are
trademarks of Xerox Corporation. Products and trademarks of
other companies are also acknowledged.
Changes are periodically made to this document. Changes,
technical inaccuracies, and typographic errors will be corrected in
subsequent editions.
This document was created on the Xerox 6085 Professional
Computer System using GlobalView software. The typeface is
Optima.
Table of contents
Introduction vii
Document conventions vii
Related publications viii
1. Basic concepts 1-1
Page orientation 1-2
Fonts 1-2
Font memory 1-4
Paper 1-4
Image size considerations 1-4
System page 1-4
Physical page 1-5
Virtual page 1-5
Edgemarking 1-6
Non-imaged elements 1-7
Imaging error messages 1-7
Registration shift and skew 1-7
Output performance considerations 1-9
Form origin 1-10
Positioning form elements 1-11
Grids 1-12
x and y coordinates 1-12
Predefined formats 1-13
Data types 1-14
2. Forms Description Language 2-1
FDL command overview 2-1
Command format 2-1
Command summary 2-2
Form creation process 2-3
Setup commands 2-3
FORM/RESOLUTION 2-4
PAPER 2-5
LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT 2-6
XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GRID 2-7
FONT 2-8
Description commands 2-9
LINE 2-10
BOX 2-11
TEXT 2-13
LOGO 2-17
GRAPHIC 2-18
SECTION 2-19
COMMENT 2-21
END 2-22
3. Compiling and printing forms 3-1
Form printing process 3-1
FSL data transfer 3-1
Compiling a form 3-2
Using the compilation options 3-4
Printing a compiled form 3-6
4. Troubleshooting 4-1
Suggested coding techniques 4-1
Converting preprinted forms 4-1
Designing new forms 4-1
Recommended coding sequence 4-2
Syntax ambiguities 4-2
Hints and tips 4-3
Image complexity factors 4-4
Line tables 4-4
Scan line density 4-6
Superimposed lines 4-8
Page generation errors 4-8
Local density and page setup errors 4-8
Using boxes 4-9
Text in boxes 4-10
Locating the closest box 4-10
Shading factors 4-12
Section factors 4-13
Rounding measurement factors 4-14
Converting other unit values to dots 4-14
Rounding variable data 4-15
iv XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
Appendices
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FDL statistics 4-16
Grid unit scaling 4-16
A. FDL command syntax summary A-1
B. System default summary B-1
C. Sample form creation C-1
D. FDL capacity limits D-1
E. Standard print formats E-1
F. Support tools and measurements F-1
G. Command examples G-1
Glossary GLOSSARY-1
Index INDEX-1
XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE v
Document conventions
Introduction
The Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Forms Creation Guide
describes the use of Forms Description Language (FDL)
commands you use to create forms for merging with variable
data to print on a laser printing system (LPS). Descriptions
include the following:
• FDL commands necessary to create any desired form with the
correct page orientation, fonts, line widths, and positioning
of captions and logos
• Fundamental printing terms, techniques, and troubleshooting
• Support tools used to simplify the creation of forms
• Command and default summaries, examples, limitations, and
capacities.
This guide uses the following conventions:
UPPERCASE BOLD BLUE Uppercase bold blue text indicates required characters or
command keywords.
UPPERCASE BLUE ITALICS Uppercase blue italics indicate optional parameter keywords,
characters, or values.
Lowercase black italics Lowercase black italics indicate variable parameter options,
(word, character, phrase, or value).
... Ellipses indicate that you can repeat a parameter option, or list a
series of parameter options.
<> Angle brackets indicate keys on the system controller keyboard.
The carat character represents a required space.
TERMINAL FONT Terminal or monospace fonts are used to represent LPS screen
responses.
UPPERCASE Uppercase letters indicate command names and parameter
keywords.
CAUTION: Cautions appear immediately before any action or omission that
may result in damage to your equipment, software, or data.
WARNING: Warnings are associated with the safety of people.
XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE vii
INTRODUCTION
Related publications
You can find additional information related to the
4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS in the following publications.
Publication Number
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Master Index 720P94030
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Bypass
Transport Instructions, V3.5/3.8
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Bypass
Transport Operator Training Guide Flipcharts
Supplement
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Bypass
Transport Operator Training Guide
Supplement
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Command
Reference
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Forms
Creation Quick Reference Card
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Installation
Planning
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Message
Guide
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Operator
Guide
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Operator
Instructor Training Flipcharts
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Operator
Instructor Training Guide
720P22320
720P22340
720P22330
720P94020
720P93100
720P92990
720P93980
720P94000
720P22080
720P22070
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Operator
Quick Reference
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Print
Description Language (PDL) Quick Ref. Card
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Print
Description Language (PDL) Reference
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Product
Reference
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS System
Administration Guide
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS System
Administration Quick Reference Card
Xerox Standard Font Library Font User Guide 600P86174
Xerox Tape Formats Manual 600P86175
Helpful Facts About Paper 610P50497
Xerox Dynamic Document Interface
Command Summary
Xerox Dynamic Document Interface
Operator Guide
720P93050
720P93090
720P94090
720P94060
720P94010
720P93090
720P13680
720P13670
viii XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
1. Basic concepts
The laser printing system (LPS) provides the capability to create
electronic forms tailored to meet your individual requirements.
You create electronic forms using the Forms Description
Language (FDL). This simple-to-learn, easy-to-use language
enables you to design and alter forms in minutes.
FDL-defined forms are input to the printer as data, using the LPS
keyboard and display, or a host computer terminal. To define a
form, FDL uses lines, logos, images, signatures, shading, and
different font styles and sizes to make full use of laser printing
system features and capabilities.
Advantages of FDL • Lines can be drawn at specified intervals without being
redefined each time.
• You state the origin and the dimensions of a box to have it
drawn at any specified location on the page.
• An entire section of a form, once defined, can be repeated
anywhere on the same form.
• In defining a location on a page, you are not restricted to
lines and character positions. You can specify coordinates in
inches, centimeters, or dots with a resolution of 1/300 inch in
either direction.
Note: An xdot is a 1/600 inch unit of measure that is
provided with version 3 software. A form specifying xdots
may be created, edited, and compiled on any V3-based LPS.
However, results are unpredictable if you attempt to print a
600 spots per inch (spi) form on a 300-spi LPS.
• Once you create a form, it can be stored on the system and
printed as many times and as often as you need.
• You can use three types of lines (solid, broken, and dotted)
in four thicknesses: invisible [0], hairline, medium [1], or
bold [2]. You can also mix fonts and arrange text in many
ways.
Certain basic concepts are required to understand the forms
creation process on laser printing systems. These include the
size, shape, and location of the overall image on the page of a
document, the orientation of the text or graphics on the page,
the size and style of the characters to be used, and the type of
data to be entered.
This chapter discusses fonts and font memory, registration and
skew, and output information for the jobs you create on your
LPS.
XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 1-1
BASIC CONCEPTS
Page orientation
There are two types of page, or text, orientation:
• Portrait
• Landscape.
In portrait orientation, the vertical side of the page is longer than
the horizontal side. In landscape orientation, the horizontal side
of the page is longer than the vertical side. Portrait and
landscape orientations are illustrated in figure 1-1.
Figure 1-1. Page orientation
PORTRAITLANDSCAPE
Landscape is the usual orientation for computer reports. Portrait
is the usual orientation for letters, manuals, and other text
printing. On a laser printing system, you can change page
orientation from page to page without interrupting the printing
operation. This capability, coupled with variable character size,
permits maximum flexibility for the effective presentation of
information.
Fonts
A font is a character set which has a unique type style, type size,
and orientation.
Fixed and proportional fonts Both fixed and proportionally spaced fonts are available for use
on the 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS. Each font character occupies
an area called a character cell. All character cells in a fixed font
are the same width. Character cells in a proportional font vary in
width.
Figure 1-2. Character spacing
1-2 XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
BASIC CONCEPTS
Because the length of a line printed with a proportional font is
unpredictable, the system uses fixed fonts for variable data on a
report to avoid overprinting of forms by variable data. The
system uses proportional fonts for forms data such as titles,
headings, and so forth. A business letter is an example of the
use of proportional fonts for variable data. Figure 1-3 shows an
example of the difference in line length.
Figure 1-3. Character spacing/line length examples
Font typefaces Fonts are available in various typefaces (such as OCR and Titan),
sizes, styles (such as serif and sans serif), and weights (such as
medium and bold). The Xerox LPS Standard Font Library Font
User Guide lists the standard fixed and proportional fonts.
Font orientation In addition to typeface, style, and size, a font can be defined by
its orientation:
• Landscape
• Portrait
• Inverse landscape
• Inverse portrait.
Font orientation is relative to the physical page.
Figure 1-4. Font orientation
Refer to the Xerox Laser Printing Systems Standard Font Library
Font User Guide for specific font information and the Xerox
4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS System Administration Guide for
information on using Font Editor keyword commands to create
source font files from existing licensed and nonlicensed font
files.
XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 1-3
BASIC CONCEPTS
Font memory
Paper
Increasing font memory improves processing time for
applications that require large fonts or a large number of
different fonts on a single page. In the pass through mode, the
LPS prints up to 128 fonts on a single page. In normal mode,
the amount of fonts per page that the LPS prints depends on the
font definitions for the emulated line printer. When processing
the page data, the controller stores font information in a special
memory cache called font memory. The amount of memory
required to store font data depends on the size of the fonts and
the number of different fonts on a single page.
If your applications call for either large fonts, or a variety of fonts
on a single page, the increased font memory option can greatly
improve the processing time required to print these documents.
Custom fonts, logos, and signature font data also consume font
memory during processing.
Paper sizes Laser printing systems print on the following paper sizes:
Paper types A large variety of paper types can also be used on the LPS:
Image size considerations
System page
• 8.5 by 11 inch (216 by 279 mm)
• A4 (8.27 by 11.69 inch, 210 by 297 mm)
• 8.5 by 14 inch (216 by 356 mm).
• Label stock
• Transparencies
• Predrilled
• Perforated
• Colored.
Paper weights and printing speed vary with each printer.
Your LPS can print on a variety of paper sizes. You can
manipulate the size of the image with some limitations.
Understanding the terms system page, physical page and virtual
page helps to define these limitations.
This refers to the maximum image area, which is 8.6 by 14.00
inches. Elements which do not print may originate off the
leading edge of the system page.
Refer to the “Non-imaged elements” subsection later in this
chapter for more information.
1-4 XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
Physical page
BASIC CONCEPTS
This refers to the size of the paper itself. You can use any page
dimension as long as the paper physically fits in the feeder trays
and you can preselect the following paper sizes at system
generation (sysgen), as shown in table 1-1.
Table 1-1. Physical page sizes
Inches Millimeters
8.0 x 10.0 203 x 254
8.0 x 10.5 203 x 267
8.0 x 13.0 203 x 330
8.27 x 10.63 210 x 270
8.27 x 11.69/A4 210 x 297
8.27 x 13.0 210 x 330
8.37 x 10.78 213 x 274
8.46 x 10.83 215 x 275
8.46 x 12.4 215 x 315
8.46 x 14.02 215 x 356
8.5 x 10.75 216 x 273
8.5 x 11.0/USLETTER 216 x 279
8.5 x 13.0 216 x 330
8.5 x 14.0/USLEGAL 216 x 356
Virtual page
Use the PAPERSIZE command in the Print Description Language
(PDL) and the PAPER command in the Forms Description
Language (FDL) to allow form compilation and job printing on a
size of paper other than the paper size you select at sysgen. This
allows you to specify nonstandard paper size for specific jobs.
Refer to the “Forms Description Language” chapter and the
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Print Description Language (PDL)
Reference for more information about commands.
The virtual page refers to the dimensions of the page as specified
in the software. The dimensions of the virtual page may be less
than or equal to the dimensions of the physical page size, but
not larger. The printer truncates larger values.
If you explicitly define virtual page size (using the
LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT command PAGE SIZE parameter), the
defined area is centered relative to the physical page dimensions.
You can specify an orientation for the virtual page either with the
LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT command or by using the FMTn option of
the GRID command. If an orientation is not specified, the virtual
page is assigned a landscape orientation by default.
XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 1-5
BASIC CONCEPTS
The upper left corner of the virtual page is called the “virtual
page origin,” as shown in figure 1-5. The virtual page origin is
also used to establish a form origin.
Figure 1-5. Virtual page origin
LANDSCAPE virtual page origin
Virtual page (default size=paper size)
LANDSCAPE virtual page origin
Virtual page (user-defined size)
Physical page
PORTRAIT virtual page origin
Virtual page (default size=paper size)
Edgemarking
PORTRAIT virtual page origin
Virtual page (user-defined size)
Physical page
The same coordinate system is used for printing on all Xerox
printers. This limits the printing area in some cases and can
cause you to lose data which begins near, or off, the edge of the
physical page.
Edgemarking is the placement of marks along the edge of the
page. These marks consist of graphic elements that bleed off the
paper, tabs for section reference, or marks that denote changes
made in redline drafts.
To accommodate edgemarking, the system page must be larger
than the physical page. Edgemarking capability is limited on the
LPS because the system page boundaries (such as the 8.6 by 14
inch maximum image size printing area) correspond to the
physical page on at least two edges for all paper sizes.
CAUTION: Be careful when edgemarking. Printing a solid band
on the leading edge of the paper may cause fuser jams.
1-6 XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
Non-imaged elements
BASIC CONCEPTS
Elements, such as text and graphics, may begin at the edge of
the physical page on two sides, and off the physical page on the
top and on the left side (except with 8.5 by 14 inch paper).
However, if any part of a printed element begins off the system
page, no part of the element images.
• If a line of variable data begins off the system page, no part
of the line prints.
• If a ruled line begins off the system page, no part of the
ruled line prints.
• A ruled line near the edge of the system page must hold a
position of at least one-half the line thickness inside the
system page to print. For example, a bold line is eight dots
thick and, therefore, it must hold a position of at least four
dots inside the system page leading edge.
One common cause of print elements accidentally beginning off
the system page is the improper use of the OUTPUT SHIFT
command. This command shifts the entire page contents relative
to the boundaries of the system page. When you enter a
negative shift value (as is often the case for the back side of
duplex pages), and that value exceeds the left margin, no text
element prints. When using a negative value for the SHIFT
command, be sure that it is less than the value of the left margin.
Imaging error messages
Registration shift and skew
If any part of a print line originates off the system page, the
following message displays:
OS6905 DATA ORIGIN OFF PAGE -- CHECK OUTPUT
This message line appears only once during a print job. It
indicates that a print line origin problem exists within the form
description, or that an excessive SHIFT value has been specified.
The registration of a printed image can appear shifted or skewed
on a page if the sheet of paper is misaligned as it enters the
printer. Because of the design of the LPS feeder, the image
registration on each page can vary slightly both horizontally and
vertically by up to .05 inches (1.0 mm). The image can also slant
or skew slightly by up to .05 inches (1.0 mm) in opposite
directions, for a maximum skew of 0.1 inches (2.0 mm).
Note that the following figures are the same specifications which
have been rotated to show portrait and landscape orientations.
The shift and skew variances described here are within allowable
specifications. However, as this can affect the registration of
variable data in preprinted forms and the placement of images
close to the edge of the page, it is important to make allowances
for this condition.
XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 1-7
BASIC CONCEPTS
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Figure 1-6. Landscape orientation shift and skew
(11 x 8.5 inches)
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Registration variance
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Figure 1-7. Portrait orientation shift and skew
(8.5 x 11 inches)
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1-8 XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
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For best results when designing preprinted forms, allow
approximately .1 inches or 2.0 mm of space on all sides of any
boxes, or above and below any lines onto which variable data is
to be printed, as shown in figure 1-8.
BASIC CONCEPTS
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Figure 1-8. Maintaining margins in preprinted boxes to
allow for registration and skew variations
Note: Figure 1-8 is enlarged for the purpose of illustration, and
is not to scale.
Output performance considerations
The LPS has a rated speed of up to 50 (4050, 4450, and 4650) or
up to 92 (4090) impressions per minute (an impression refers to
one printed side of a sheet of paper). The actual output
performance you experience depends greatly on the processing
features invoked in the job and the print density of each page.
Preprinted lines
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PATIENT NAME
Preprinted form data
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•
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Maintain at least .1“ or 2 mm on all sides around variable data
•
Variable data
Actual output also varies according to the configuration of the
LPS, such as the type of connection (offline, online, remote
communication, and front end processor).
This section provides information on expected output
performance when printing various types of jobs, applications,
and hardware configurations. For more detailed information,
consult your service representative.
Note: The term throughput refers to the print speed once pages
start printing. The processing that occurs prior to the actual
printing of the pages depends greatly on the complexity of the
job.
Interpress Interpress masters sent to the LPS must be processed by the
Interpress decomposer function of the Operating System
Software (OSS). The time required to print an Interpress job
depends on the complexity of the image from page to page.
PostScript PostScript masters sent to the LPS must first be converted to
.IMG files in the front end processor. The time required to print
a PostScript job depends on the complexity of the image from
page to page.
Dynamic Job Descriptor Entries (DJDE) The use of DJDEs adds processing time and slows the output.
To maximize performance, restrict the use of DJDEs to the
following commands: GRAPHIC, FORMAT, MODIFY, and FORM.
XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 1-9
BASIC CONCEPTS
Form origin
Print density Full throughput estimates are based on pages with an average
print density of approximately seven percent of the page. Pages
which are very dense require more time to image and to print.
Highlight color The LPS running V3.8 Color Compatibility Release or XDDI
software is compatible with the 4850/4890 printer running V3.7,
V4.0, or V5.0 highlight color software. Highlight color
applications can be printed when using V3.8 or XDDI software on
the LPS. Highlight color datastreams are fully supported and
translate to black and shades of gray.
Color text printed over a solid black background or vice versa,
disappear when printed on the LPS. There is no error message
when this occurs. Light tints with isolated single pixels may not
print on the LPS.
All forms data described by FDL commands is positioned relative
to a point called the “form origin,” as shown in figure 1-9. This
point offsets from the virtual page corner by horizontal and
vertical displacement values, which you specify using the GRID
command. If none are specified, standard default values are
used to establish the form origin.
If variable data is merged with the form, set the form origin to
coincide with the beginning position of the variable data so that
the form and variable data coordinate accurately. Standard
computer printing formats are stored on the system. Refer to
the “Predefined formats” section, later in this chapter.
Figure 1-9. Form origin
Form origin (offset from virtual page origin)
Virtual page origin
Virtual page (default size=paper size)
Form origin (offset from virtual page origin)
Virtual page origin
Virtual page (user-defined size)
Physical page
1-10 XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
Positioning form elements
Form element Element origin
Vertical ruled line Top of the line at the midpoint of the line thickness
BASIC CONCEPTS
The following elements may be placed on a form with FDL
commands:
• Lines
• Boxes
• Fixed text
• Logos and signatures
• Images
• Sections.
All of these elements are located in relation to the form origin at
the upper left corner of the form. Each form element has an
origin, a point used to position it relative to the form origin, as
shown in table 1-2.
Table 1-2. Form elements and corresponding origins
Horizontal ruled
Left end of the line at the midpoint of the line thickness
line
Box (outlined) Upper left corner of the box at the midpoint of the outline
thickness
Box (shaded) Upper left corner of the box
Fixed text (single
line)
Fixed text (multiple
lines)
Upper left corner of the first character cell
when the line appears upright to the viewer
Upper edge of the topmost character cell and the leftmost
edge of the leftmost character cell when viewed in an upright
position (illustrated in figure 1-10)
Graphics Upper left corner of the image
Logos and
signatures
Upper left corner of the first (or only) character cell (with a few
exceptions)
Sections (of a form) Upper left corner of the section
Figure 1-10 shows two text blocks, one using a portrait font and
one using a landscape font. The text block origin is used to
position the text block relative to the form origin.
Figure 1-10. Text block origin
Origin
XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 1-11
BASIC CONCEPTS
Grids
x and y coordinates
The location of a form element on a page is specified in terms of
its horizontal and vertical displacement from the form origin. The
units of measurement used to define this displacement can be
any of the following:
• Linear units—inches or centimeters
• Dots—300 per inch
• Xdots—600 per inch
• cpi and lpi—characters per inch horizontally and lines per
inch vertically.
The y coordinate describes the vertical position on a grid. The x
coordinate describes the horizontal position. When both
coordinates are given together, the y coordinate is always
specified first.
If you draw a horizontal and a vertical line through the form
origin to create x and y coordinates, you would express the
location of the form origin as y=0, x=0.
If you draw more lines to mark horizontal and vertical
measurements away from the form origin so that the lines were
one unit of measurement apart, you create a grid like the one
shown in figure 1-11. You can then position form elements
(lines, boxes, and so on) by specifying a grid location.
Figure 1-11. Form grid
Form origin
(y=0,x=0)
1
Character cell origin at
(y=2,x=1)
2
1 3
A
3
Y
42
X
1-12 XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
Negative coordinates Negative x and y values also may be used to place form elements
Predefined formats
BASIC CONCEPTS
Example You placed the letter “A” at location (2,1). If you are measuring
grid units in inches, the origin of the “A” character cell is located
two inches down and one inch to the right of the form origin. If
you are measuring the grid in cpi and lpi units, the origin of the
“A” character cell is located two lines down and one character
width to the right of the form origin. At 10 cpi and 6 lpi, the “A”
is .33 inches down from the form origin and .10 inches to the
right.
above and/or to the left of the form origin, as long as the values
are within system page boundaries.
UNIT value The unit value of the GRID command specifies the unit of
measurement that the FDL commands use to position form
elements on the page. Optionally, you can select a predefined
format that automatically provides grid unit values. Individual
FDL commands may override GRID unit values.
A set of predefined print description entries or formats, having
standard format specifications, is provided on the Operating
System Software (OSS) tapes. You may use the standard formats
or define your own to suit your specific needs.
Reference Refer to the “Standard print formats” appendix for a list of the
standard LPS print formats.
These standard formats provide commonly used impact printer
conversion formats for use with specific page sizes and
orientations. Use the Xerox design ruler to assist you in
measuring character and line spacing. The ruler has eight scales
that conform to the standard format grid.
Reference Refer to the “Support tools and measurements” appendix for
more information on the forms design ruler.
FMT1 (landscape) or FMT6 (portrait) is used by FDL to provide
default values for page orientation, form origin, and grid unit
dimensions, provided there are no explicit overriding parameters.
Unless overridden by an explicit orientation PAGE SIZE
parameter, the virtual page size in a predefined format is always
the sysgen-specified paper size. The virtual page origin is located
at the upper left corner of the physical page.
XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 1-13
BASIC CONCEPTS
Data types
Two types of data are used in creating and printing LPS forms, as
shown in table 1-3.
Table 1-3. Data types
Data type Description
Variable Generally refers to computer-produced information that the LPS
merges with a form. Typically this data varies from page to
page.
Forms Refers to information that is used to print the form, such as
lines between columns and rows, boxes, and shading. Forms
data also refers to information that is part of the form, such as
titles, headings, captions, logos, and signatures. Forms data
typically does not vary from page to page.
1-14 XEROX 4050/5090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
Reference Refer to the “FDL command syntax summary” appendix for a
FDL command overview
2. Forms Description Language
This chapter describes the function and use of each Forms
Description Language (FDL) command in generating a form
electronically.
The FDL commands discussed throughout this guide apply to all
version 3 laser printing systems.
summary of all FDL commands and their syntax. The conventions
used to present command syntax are listed in the “Introduction”
and in the “FDL command syntax summary” appendix.
FDL is a set of keyword commands that you use to generate an
electronic form.
Command format
You first create a source file of FDL commands that describes the
characteristics of your form. You then compile the file and store
it as an electronic form file on the LPS.
The form can contain a variety of fonts, logos, and graphics, and
it can be merged with variable data during printing. You can
select any stored form for printing.
The following is true for each FDL command:
• Commands consist of a command identifier and various
parameters and keywords associated with the function.
• Spaces and/or commas separate keywords and parameters.
• Commands are terminated by a semicolon.
• Command information is placed within the first 72 columns
of each record.
• Multiple commands may appear in one record if separated by
a semicolon.
• Commands can be continued on multiple lines before ending
with a semicolon, with the exception of the LINE and BOX
commands. For both of these commands, the following
string must reside on one line:
AT . . . IN unit
Lines containing all blanks are ignored and may be used for
separation.
XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 2-1
FORMS DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
Command summary
The five types of commands and the associated FDL commands
are described in table 2-1.
Table 2-1. FDL command summary
Command types and
commands Command function
FORM/RESOLUTION Identifies the name of a form in the forms library and the resolution at which
the form should be compiled for printing.
PAPER Identifies the paper size for which the form is designed.
LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT Specifies the page orientation and virtual page size.
GRID Specifies the grid units used in describing the form and the origin of the form
relative to the virtual page origin. In most cases, a standard format
specification can be entered, which provides standard character and line
spacing, page orientation, and form origin.
FONT Specifies which fonts to use when creating a form.
LINE Specifies the length, position, direction, and thickness (hairline, 0, 1, or 2) of
lines.
BOX Specifies the location of the upper left corner and the dimensions of square
or rectangular boxes. All boxes in FDL are fixed-size. Backgrounds for text
must use the BOX command.
TEXT AT Specifies the positioning of text (written matter) such as form titles, headings,
and labels in specific locations.
TEXT IN BOX Specifies the positioning of text in a box.
LOGO Specifies the positioning of logos and signatures.
GRAPHIC Specifies a graphic image to be merged with the form and its placement and
relative scale.
SECTION Defines a portion of a form as a relocatable section.
END SECTION Terminates a section.
DO SECTION Invokes and places a previously defined section of a form.
COMMENT Inserts comments.
END Terminates a form description.
2-2 XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
Form creation process
Initiating an editing session Use the editor utility to create and modify your Forms Source
FORMS DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
The following three basic steps are required to produce an
electronic form:
1. Initiate an editing session.
2. Enter the FDL commands.
3. Compile and print the form.
Library (.FSL) source files.
If you use your host editor utility, follow the instructions
provided in your host documentation.
References If you use the LPS editor, refer to your Xerox
4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Command Reference for more
information on editor commands.
Refer to the “FDL command syntax summary” appendix for an
alphabetical list of each command and syntax.
All of the FDL commands are described in detail later in this
chapter and are presented in the following order:
Compiling and printing forms After you have entered all the FDL commands needed to
Setup commands
• Command
• Syntax
• Parameter options
• Default
• Considerations
• Example.
describe your form, exit the editing session and invoke the forms
compiler.
Refer to the “Compiling and printing forms” chapter for
information on how to compile and print your form.
Before entering commands to describe a form, enter the setup
commands in the following order:
FORM
PAPER
LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT
GRID
FONT.
The FORM setup command is always required. If the other setup
commands are not defined, the defaults are used.
The FONT command is required if text is to be included on the
form.
Note: The commands IRESULT, ICATALOG, PALETTE, and INK
are not included in this section, as they are meaningless on a
black and white system. However, XDDI will accept .FSLs that
are written on a color printer.
XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 2-3
FORMS DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
FORM/RESOLUTION
Defines the name and resolution of the form.
Naming the form
Defines the name of the form. Once the form is compiled and
stored on the system disk, this is the name used by the LPS
software to reference the form.
Syntax FORM
name;
Parameter options name
A one- to six-character identifier that references the form.
Default None. A form name is mandatory.
Example FORM BLUBOX;
Considerations The FORM command must be the first command in the form
definition and must be completely contained in the first record
of the form definition.
Reserved words (such as FORM, GRID, FONT, TEXT, BOX, LOGO,
and so on) cannot be used for the name. However, reserved
words can be modified and used (for example, FORM1, FORM2,
and so on).
Specifying resolution
The RESOLUTION parameter is an optional part of the FORM
command that allows you to specify whether the form is created
at 300 or 600 spots per inch (spi).
Syntax FORM
name RESOLUTION IS value SPI;
Parameter options name
A one- to six-character identifier that references the form.
value
Specifies whether the form is created at 300 or 600 spi.
Default None.
Example FORM BLUBOX RESOLUTION IS 300 SPI;
2-4 XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
FORMS DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
PAPER
Identifies the paper size for which the form is designed. It is an
optional command that enables you to select a paper size that is
different than the sysgen-defined paper size.
Syntax PAPER
SIZE IS value;
Parameter options value
USLETTER
8.5 by 11 inches/216 by 279 mm.
A4
8.27 by 11.69 inches/210 by 297 mm.
USLEGAL
8.5 by 14 inches/216 by 356 mm.
unit BY y unit
x
Specifies nonstandard sizes. The x represents the virtual
page width and the y represents the virtual page height.
Units are optional and can be expressed in INCH or
INCHES, CM or CENTIMETERS, DOTS, or XDOTS. The
default is INCHES.
The x and y values must be positive numbers and may
contain two decimal places for all units except DOTS.
Default If a PAPER command is not present, and a predefined format is
not specified, the sysgen-defined paper size in effect at run time
is used as the paper size value.
Example nonstandard sizes PAPER SIZE IS 16.54 INCHES BY 11.69 INCHES;
Example standard sizes PAPER SIZE IS USLETTER;
Considerations USLETTER and USLEGAL cannot be abbreviated.
You can specify paper size in a Job Source Library (JSL). When
the JSL specifies PAPERSIZE using the keyword method, for
example, USLETTER, A4, or USLEGAL, the .FSL must also use the
same method. If the JSL specifies PAPERSIZE=8.5 by 14 and
your .FSL specifies PAPER SIZE IS USLEGAL, one of the following
error messages is displayed:
OS6670 Form paper size too small. Form will not be printed.
OS6680 Form paper size too large. Form will not be printed.
These errors appear only when you print the form. The
messages do not appear when you compile the form without
printing it.
Reference The PDL PAPERSIZE command is explained in more detail in your
Xerox 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS Print Description Language (PDL)
Reference.
Due to edgemarking considerations, the form created by
specifying a paper size of USLEGAL is different from one
specifying 8.5 by 14 inches.
XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 2-5
FORMS DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT
The forms compiler is capable of compiling a number of paper
sizes. Although a form file may be compiled without an error, it
may not be printable on a particular system if the paper size
exceeds the maximum feeder capacity of that system. Examples
of these are A3, B4, and 11 by 17 inch paper sizes. If you
attempt to print a form with an incompatible paper size, the
following message is displayed on the system controller:
Paper size in cluster AUTO is too small
When coding .FSL applications, the PAPER command must
precede the LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT statement.
If a predefined format is specified in the GRID command, paper
size is determined automatically, and the PAPER command is
unnecessary. The PAPER command is required, however, any
time the paper size is different from the sysgen default.
Note: The correct size paper must be loaded in the feeder. A
paper size mismatch at run time causes an error message to be
displayed. The form does not print, and the job may be aborted.
Specifies the origin of the form and the virtual page size.
Syntax orientation
PAGE SIZE IS n WIDE BY m HIGH;
Parameter options orientation
LANDSCAPE
The form is oriented horizontally (like most paintings or
photographs of landscape scenes).
PORTRAIT
The form is oriented vertically (like most portraits of
people).
n
Specifies the virtual page width in DOTS, XDOTS, INCHES
(IN), or centimeters (CM).
m
Specifies the virtual page height in DOTS, XDOTS, INCHES
(IN), or centimeters (CM).
Default LANDSCAPE is the default orientation, and the default units is
INCHES.
Example PORTRAIT;
Considerations When coding .FSL applications, the PAPER command must
precede the LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT command.
If a PAGE SIZE parameter is specified, a virtual page of that size is
centered relative to the paper. The virtual page origin is at the
upper left corner of the centered virtual page.
If no PAGE SIZE parameter is specified, the virtual page size
defaults to the paper size specified in the PAPER command;
otherwise it defaults to the sysgen-defined paper size.
Only one LANDSCAPE or PORTRAIT command is allowed in a
form description. If specified, the command must precede the
GRID, BOX, LINE, LOGO, and TEXT commands, described later in
this chapter.
Page width and height values must be positive numbers and may
contain two decimal places for all units except DOTS.
2-6 XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
FORMS DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
GRID
Specifies how far apart to space the horizontal and vertical grid
lines. This command also specifies the location of the form
origin with respect to the virtual page origin. All FDL commands
create and place form elements (lines, boxes, and so on) relative
to the form origin.
Syntax GRID
UNIT IS format id ORIGIN y unit x unit;
or
UNIT IS value ORIGIN y unit x unit;
GRID
Parameter options format id
Name of a predefined format. The format may be one of the
standard formats listed in the “Standard print formats”
appendix or a user-defined format.
When a format is specified, it automatically provides page
orientation, form origin, and grid unit dimensions. All
predefined formats specify the grid units in lines and
characters per inch. The BEGIN values of the predefined
format are used to place the form origin, unless overridden
by an ORIGIN parameter.
value
If a predefined format is not specified, value is used to
indicate the number of inches (INCH or INCHES),
centimeters (CM or CENTIMETERS), dots (DOTS or XDOTS),
or characters per inch or lines per inch (CPI or LPI) that
specify the size of a grid unit. Size in inches or centimeters
represents the length of one side of a square grid unit.
If the value is omitted when DOTS are specified, 1 is
assumed. If only one DOTS parameter is specified, the grid
unit is the same number of dots in both the horizontal and
vertical dimensions.
y
Specifies the offset value used to offset downward from the
top of the virtual page. If y is not specified, the top edge of
the form is located at the top edge of the virtual page.
unit
Specifies the measurement, in INCH or INCHES, CM or
CENTIMETERS, DOTS or XDOTS, that the form origin is offset
downward from the top of the virtual page. If inches,
centimeters, or dots are not specified in this parameter,
inches are assumed.
x
Specifies the offset value used to offset the form to the right
of the left edge of the virtual page. The coordinate x=0
represents the left edge of the virtual page. If x is not
specified, the left edge of the form is located at the left edge
of the virtual page.
Default If no grid units or predefined format is specified, FMT1
(landscape) or FMT6 (portrait) values are used. If no units value
is specified, INCHES is the default.
Example GRID UNIT IS 1 INCH;
Considerations Inches and centimeters may have two decimal places. Dots must
be expressed in integers only. The values value, y, and x must
be positive numbers.
XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE 2-7
FORMS DESCRIPTION LANGUAGE
FONT
The GRID command, when specified in number of dots, allows a
greater flexibility than more conventional methods of specifying
the grid. For example, instead of being limited to two decimal
places of accuracy when specifying inches or centimeters, the
grid can be specified to the dot. This feature also eliminates any
errors caused by rounding.
If the GRID command specifies explicit unit parameters and no
ORIGIN is specified, the form origin coincides with the virtual
page origin.
Grid unit dimensions may be overridden by the BOX, LINE,
LOGO, and TEXT commands. Multiple GRID commands may be
used within a set of FDL commands. A GRID command remains
in effect until another is encountered.
Reference For illustrations of how virtual page and form origin are
determined, see the “Command examples” appendix.
Identifies the character sets used when creating and printing
forms data and variable data.
Syntax FONTS
id1 id2 id3...id
32j
;
Parameter options id
Identifier of the standard or custom font you want to use.
Multiple ids are separated by either a blank or a comma.
Example FONTS UN106A,UN104C,UN114A;
Considerations Fonts must be selected using the FONT command before text
can be specified. FONT can be used only once.
When specifying multiple fonts, make sure that you enter the
correct font in the font list. When an invalid font is encountered,
compilation is suspended, and an FRM file is not produced.
There are three possible cases for a “font not found” error:
• The font does not exist on the system disk, and the message
***USER SPECIFIED FONT NAME IS MISSING is generated. No
.FRM file is created.
• There is no such font index. For example, the FONTS
command contains two font IDs and the user specifies TEXT
USI FON 3... This generates an
***INVALID FONT INDEX
message, and an .FRM file is created with the text printed
using FONT 1.
• No font index is specified in the TEXT command. For
example, TEXT AT 1 1
TEXT MESSAGE will print with the last
used font. If this is the first time the text has been used, FDL
will default to FONT 1.
The number of fonts that can be specified depends on their size,
the number of fonts used in the variable data, and the size of
font memory in your system. However, the maximum number of
fonts and logos allowed per form by the forms compiler is 32.
2-8 XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE
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